QPOE2

Comments (0)

Transcript of QPOE2

QPOE2Investigation OrganizerQuestionEvaluationObservationPredictionExplanationKnowledge ProbeInvestigation PlanData AnalysisApplicationfor Scientific InquiryDefinition = The main idea of the investigation, generally worded as a question.Purpose = to focus the investigationGood questions come from a variety of experiences including "messing about" sessions, "Aha!" moments, "wonderings", brainstorming sessions, or any other experience that makes an investigator curious.What makes a question testable?A testable question is a question that can be answered by a scientific investigation. Ask yourself these three questions to know if you have a strong investigation question....1. Is this question DOABLE/TESTABLE? Is this investigation ethical? Are the materials available? Is enough time available?2. Why is this question IMPORTANT? Would an investigation of this question be a worthwhile use of time?3. Why is this question INTERESTING? Testable: What color bird feeder attracts the most cardinals?

NOT Testable: What do birds eat? Testable: Does the sun heat salt water and fresh water at the same rate?

NOT Testable: How does the sun heat liquids?Testable: What is the effect of light on rate of seed germination?

NOT Testable: How do seeds grow?Definition = The process of thinking about what you or others already knows about the topic.

Purpose = To activate and identify personal and scientific prior knowledge.In this class, we will often pause after generating a question to complete a "Knowledge Probe" activity. These short activities will help us (1) figure out what we already know and (2) find out what other people know about our topic. What do I think might happen?Definition = an expected outcome of an investigation based upon prior knowledge.

Purpose = To begin the process of thinking about the investigation question by drawing on personal and scientific prior knowledge about the topic. "If...then..." FormatTo help us plan our investigations, we're going to use the "If...then..." format for writing our predictions. If...[I do this]..., then...[this outcome will happen].The basic form is...Some examples:If...[I do this]..., then...[this outcome will happen].If different colored bird feeders are placed in the same area, then the red feeder will attract the most cardinals. If plants are placed under different colored light, then the plants placed under green light will grow the least. Predictions should be based on sound scientific reasoning. If different colored bird feeders are placed in the same area, then the red feeder will attract the most cardinals. Birds have four different types of receptors in their eyes which allows them to see not only the color spectrum that humans can see, but also light in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum. Because cardinals are red, they may be more sensitive to that region of the spectrum because they need to see red well to find a mate. If plants are placed under different colored light, then the plants placed under green light will grow the least. The color of visible light is determined by its wavelength. Plants appear green because wavelengths of light in the green region of the spectrum are reflected more than other wavelengths. When green light shines on plants, most of it will be reflected and therefore not converted into sugars by photosynthesis. Image credit: http://seniorbiology.com/eei.htmlDefinition = The steps developed and used to conduct the investigation.

Purpose = To focus thinking on the best procedures for gathering data to design a fair test.A "FAIR TEST" is a test that is replicable (it can be repeated)clearly states what is going to be observed, measured, and recordedclearly states what will be changedclearly states what will stay the sameThe PROCEDURE is the list of numbered steps that the investigator will follow. It must be detailed enough that another person could follow it. Definition = The process of gathering information from the investigation in a structured manner.

Qualitative data can be recorded using written descriptions, drawings, photographs, video, etc. Quantitative DataQuantitative data are information that can be measure or recorded using numbers.

Examples = number of leaves on a plant, mass, height, temperature, volume

All quantitative data must be labeled with units. (35 meters, 2.5 mL, 58 degrees F)How do I make sense of my data? Summarize and interpret observationsDetermine what data are significantIdentify patterns and trends that explain the dataMake graphs that are appropriate for the dataUse simple statistics like mean, median, modeWhat did I learn?Definition = A set of statements providing the CLAIM made by the researcher based on the EVIDENCE collected and supported by sound REASONING.Claim = A statement that answers the question

Evidence = data (information) that supports the claim.

Reasoning = the argument used to say why the evidence answers the question. A strong argument should include:personal prior knowledgehow the investigation was a fair testscientific concepts, principles, or theoriesideas, evidence, and arguments from others. How well did I do? Definition = a self-assessment process used to critique the inquiry investigationThe evaluation process is guided by a series of questions. 1. What are the sources of error? 2. What would you do differently next time?3. How confident are you in your results? (see confidence chart)4. What surprised you?5. What would your prediction be if you conducted this experiment again?6. What question would you like to pursue next? Confidence ChartStrongly confident:I am strongly confident because I...Conducted a minimum of 10 trialsMinimized potential sources of errorHad my results confirmedUsed scientific concepts, principles, or theories

A Little Confident:I am a little confident because I...Conducted a minimum of 3 trialsConsidered potential sources of errorDid not have my results confirmedDid not use scientific concepts, principles, or theories

Not Confident at All:I am not confident at all because I...Conducted less than 3 trialsDid not consider potential sources of errorDid not have my results confirmedDid not use scientific concepts, principles, or theoriesHow do I use what I have learned? Definition = The meaningful use of newly constructed knowledgeTo apply what you have learned, you might defend an argument, make a model, solve a problem, or design and conduct another investigation.From the Van Andel Education InstituteDefinition = the process of working with the data collected, ...